The NHTA Annual Fall Weekend was held Sept. 19 and 20 this year at the Owl Brook Hunter Education Center in Holderness, NH. We were fortunate again this year to enjoy two days of great fall weather. Thank you to the vendors that set up and stayed the weekend. Attendance was good for Saturday and light on Sunday.

NHTA directors Bob McMasters, Bill Bailey, Steve Bennett, Larry Torr and Mike Kazak along with Toby Edwards from NY, put on demonstrations. NH Fish and Game Hunting Education Coordinator Tom Flynn volunteered both days to assist Sean Williamson and Paul DeBow with activities for children. The kids enjoyed shooting .22 rifles and bow and arrows. For the smaller children, there was instruction with the tomahawk throw and “Indian” tug-o-war.

Association President Dwight Pennell and Director Bonnie Pennell did the lion’s share of providing the dinner for Saturday: a pig and turkey roast. Thank you also to the many directors that helped out vending in the morning with coffee and doughnuts and Sunday’s hamburger and hot dogs. This year, there were plenty of directors on hand to allow a smooth sail for the event. I did not get the details on the pie-baking contest; I will track those down for next month’s newsletter.

At Sunday’s business meeting, Vice President Larry Torr was voted in as president and current President Dwight Pennell was voted in as vice president. The remaining board members have agreed to stay on at their respective posts for another year. Steve Bennett is manning the post as NTA director while awaiting a volunteer to take over the reigns at that position.

Awards Committee member Steve Schlangen presented this year’s trapper of the year award to Sullivan County Director Jack Yazinski. The Association has been grateful to Jack these last few years for his legal advice and guidance. Merrimack County Director Bill Bailey was this year’s inductee into the NH Trappers Association’s Hall of Fame. This year’s Octave Delude award was presented to The Split Diamond Ranch for helping with last year’s banquet.

NHTA presented lifetime membership certificates to Steve Bennett and Thomas Dube. This year, the association opted to present cash prizes to the top three gun raffle ticket sellers. Don Wescott received $25 for selling the third most tickets (104), Craig Williams sold the second most (109) and received $50 and this year’s top ticket seller was Rueben Parker who received a $75 dollar award. The Association appreciates the contributions of all members with the sale of each individual ticket, but these three are to be recognized for their extra effort. Thanks again, Rueben, and thanks to Steve Schlangen for organizing the raffle.